Alisyn Camerota, from CNN’s New Day, chatted with a panel of Pennsylvania voters from swing districts about how Donald Trump is handling the presidency and got some rather stunning responses. Some called Trump’s time in the Oval Office “embarrassing” while others declared he is “fantabulous!” A woman named Crystal, who is still clearly pro-Trump, was asked: “Crystal, is there anything he could do that would make you not vote for him?” Crystal replied “No.” Bringing up the now infamous hypothetical scenario stated by Trump during the 2016 election, Camerota queried, “If he shot someone on 5th avenue, would you vote for him?” Crystal responded asking with a skeptical tone, “Yeah, why did he shoot him?” The Trump voters were also asked about whether pressuring foreign countries to investigate political opponents was appropriate and the ongoing impeachment inquiry.
Alisyn Camerota: "If [President Trump] shot someone on Fifth Avenue, would you vote for him?" Voter: "Why did he shoot him?"Six swing voters from two swing counties in Pennsylvania discuss the impeachment inquiry and Trump's performance in office so far.https://t.co/19o9KeoGY7pic.twitter.com/WI1UhB112X
Brian J. Smith as ‘Will Gorski’ in SENSE8 (image via Netflix) Actor Brian J. Smith, who most of us discovered in the Netflix series Sense8, comes out in the new issue of Attitude Magazine and shares that he found refuge in acting during a rough childhood in Texas. In a candid and revealing interview, Smith says that he felt – like many young LGBTQ kids – that he “could never be who I was.” “I was constantly having to check myself and make sure I wasn’t looking at someone too long or making someone feel uncomfortable,” says the 38-year-old actor. “I had to be very, very careful about telling the people the truth about myself.” Back in 1980s rural Texas, Smith didn’t feel there were any support systems for him as a young gay.
“Forget about any LGBTQ union or groups – there was absolutely nothing,” said Smith, adding that he “heard all the names: p*ssy, f*ggot.” But once he discovered acting, the stage became a refuge where he could “disappear” and become someone else. Smith explains that most of his classmates in school “probably thought I was an absolute idiot, a nerd,” but when he was on stage “they paid attention to me, and they saw that I had something.” “And that’s when I didn’t feel alone.” Acting would take center stage in Smith’s life leading him to make his Broadway debut in 2008 in Come Back, Little Sheba. He scored Tony and Drama Desk nominations for his performance as ‘The Gentleman Caller’ in the acclaimed 2013 revival of Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie starring out actors Zachary Quinto and Cherry Jones.
But it was his role as Chicago police officer ‘Will Gorski’ in the LGBTQ-inclusive Netflix series Sense8 that really put Smith in the global spotlight. Even though the show only lasted two seasons, it developed a loyal following that embraced all of the series’ stars including Smith.
The show also became his introduction to leading-man action roles. He recently premiered in the new USA Network series, Treadstone, an action-packed spin-off of the Jason Bourne franchise. And is also currently featured in the BBC One series World On Fire in the UK.
He didn’t come out to his parents until he was 30, but describes their reaction as “wonderful.” It turned out that, like many kids coming out to their parents, mom and dad knew already and “were just waiting for me to say something.” On reflection, Smith admits, “They were a lot more advanced than I gave them credit for.” “I think that’s when I became OK with it, too,” says Smith. “Just in terms of being, ‘Oh that’s the world, it’s not as dangerous as I thought it was.’”
In hindsight, thinking back to his early years in small-town Texas, Smith realizes he was fine all the time. He just needed to hear it. “There weren’t enough people there to say to me: ‘You don’t need to be someone different, you don’t need to change who you are,’” he tells Attitude. “What that kid needed was somebody to pick him up and say, ‘You’re perfect as you are, it’s OK.’” Check out more of Smith’s interview plus his ‘revealing’ photoshoot with Attitude here. Smith shared the news of his Attitude cover story via Instagram writing, “Good morning, world. The folks at @attitudemag reached out and I knew it was time. Hoping there’s other people out there like me (and not like me!) who can relate. Nothin but love! Now let’s go party.”
(stock photo via Depositphotos) The Las Vegas City Council passed an ordinance on Wednesday that effectively makes being homeless a crime. The new ordinance makes it a misdemeanor to camp or sleep in the public right-of-way (i.e. sidewalks) if space is available at the Courtyard Homeless Resource Center or another non-profit service provider. Those charged under the new law may face a $1,000 fine or six months in jail. From CNN:
Supporters of the ordinance, which passed 5-2 on Wednesday, say it’s an attempt to push the more than 6,500 homeless people and families in southern Nevada into homeless shelters while also protecting the health and safety of the community.
The city council said Las Vegas has committed $16 million to the Courtyard Homeless Resource Center, which provides housing and a range of other services to address chronic homelessness.
“The city believes the ordinance will be a benefit to the homeless population, while at the same time protecting the health and safety of the entire community,” Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman said on Twitter. “The city has always demonstrated compassion for the needs of the growing homeless population, understanding the public safety of everyone is a top priority.”
But opponents said the law just makes it more difficult for homeless people to get back on their feet. Protesters at the city council hearing chanted “housing not handcuffs,” CNN affiliate KSNV reported.
“All this does is add one more law that can be used by police and prosecutors to criminalize people who are stuck on the street,” Gary Peck, the former head of the ACLU of Nevada, told KSNV.
The ordinance goes into effect this coming Sunday A 2016 survey of over 400 homeless people in Las Vegas found: • 84% slept most often outside of a shelter, including 52% who slept on the street, sidewalk or doorway • 55% had not used any shelter services in the past year • 31% said it was because of bed bugs; 18% said it was because of dirty conditions • 29% said they became homeless because they lost a job • 20% because they were unable to afford the monthly rent
Former National Security Adviser John Bolton (image via White House – public domain) Former White House national security adviser John Bolton was a no-show today for his scheduled closed-door deposition with the House Intelligence committee. Bolton reportedly told the House committees handling the ongoing impeachment inquiry that he planned to challenge any subpoenas that might be issued for him. The Washington Post reported this morning that Bolton “is willing to defy the White House and testify in the House impeachment inquiry about his alarm at the Ukraine pressure campaign if a federal court clears the way, according to people familiar with his views.” A spokesman for the House Intelligence Committee has already indicated Democrats have “no interest in allowing the administration to play a rope-a-dope with us in the courts for months.” The official added that the White House plan to block testimony will be viewed as further evidence of obstruction for a potential article of impeachment. House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff announced on Wednesday that public impeachment hearings before his committee will begin next week. Legal experts have opined that House Democrats may believe they have enough evidence to proceed without the testimony of White House officials.
The 24th annual Where We Are on TV report from GLAAD shows a record-high of 10.2% of broadcast television series regulars (up from last year’s 8.8%) are LGBTQ. And for the first time, there are more LGBTQ female characters (regular and recurring) than male. Fifty-three percent were women and 47 percent were men. More stats: • 52% of LGBTQ characters (regular and recurring) on broadcast television are people of color • 48% of LGBTQ characters on cable are people of color • 41% of LGBTQ characters on streaming platforms are people of color • Across all platforms tracked (broadcast, cable, streaming), the total number of transgender characters increased to 38 from 26 • 9% of LGBTQ characters on broadcast television were Latinx, 22% were Black, and 8% were Asian Pacific Islander • Netflix had the highest number of LGBTQ characters among streaming services, Showtime was the most LGBTQ-inclusive of cable networks, and the CW had the most LGBTQ characters on network television GLAAD uses the data from the Where We Are on TV report in work throughout the year to advocate leaders in the TV industry to include more diverse and substantive LGBTQ representations that accelerate acceptance. For more information, check out the full report from GLAAD here.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) Democratic White House hopeful Sen. Elizabeth Warren has released a detailed plan on the rights of service members, veterans, and military families, which includes a pledge to reverse Donald Trump’s ban on transgender service members on day one of her presidency. In a tweet, she wrote, “A Warren administration will protect the rights of LGBTQ+, women, Black, and Latinx service members. I’ll reverse Trump’s shameful ban on trans service members on Day One. My administration will protect veterans and family members of serving military personnel from deportation.”
A Warren administration will protect the rights of LGBTQ+, women, Black, and Latinx service members. I’ll reverse Trump’s shameful ban on trans service members on Day One. My administration will protect veterans and family members of serving military personnel from deportation.
“I’ll reverse it on the first day of my presidency,” says Warren in her plan, adding that “the only thing that should matter when it comes to allowing military personnel to serve is whether or not they can handle the job.” Her plan states she would make sure trans soldiers would be provided with “all medically necessary care related to the health of transgender people” including transition-related surgery.
L-R Bob the Drag Queen, Shangela & Eureka O’Hara (image via HBO) Get ready, small-town America – the queens are coming! HBO Network has announced a new unscripted TV series titled We’re Here starring RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni Bob the Drag Queen, Eureka O’Hara, and Shangela. Over six episodes, the trio of RPDR royalty will travel to small towns across the country with the goal of “empowering local communities with the magic of drag.” Each installment of the series will feature a different town where locals will be recruited to participate in a one-night-only drag show. The three queens will work to inspire their ‘drag daughters’ to step out of their comfort zone. We’re getting a Queer Eye / To Wong Foo vibe here… Creator and executive producer Johnnie Ingram says, “We’re bringing the art of drag into small-town America in an effort to make connections in unexpected places.” “Drag is about confidence and self-expression,” says Nina Rosenstein, EVP, HBO programming in a statement. “We are so thrilled to showcase the transformative power of the art form with our audience.” All three queens will contribute as consulting producers on the series with Ingram and co-creator/executive producer Stephen Warren. The divas shared the news with similar messaging on their Instagrams:
Adolfo Martinez (screen capture) A man in Ames, Iowa, accused of tearing down a Pride flag from the front of a church and setting it on fire has been found guilty of a hate crime. A jury in Story County found Adolfo Martinez, 30, guilty of a hate crime, third-degree harassment, reckless use of fire and being a habitual offender. The habitual offender charge was in reference to previous charges of reckless use of fire. According to Story County Attorney Jessica Reynolds, this was the first time a hate crime was put before a jury in Story County. Martinez faces up to 15 years in prison. A sentencing date has not been set at this time. (mugshot via Story County) On June 11, Martinez was reportedly “making threats and acting out” at a gentlemen’s club named Dangerous Curves located at 111 Fifth Street. The police were called but Martinez had been ejected from the premises by the time they arrived. Martinez apparently came back that night and told a bar employee he was going to burn the bar down. He added that he planned on burning a Pride flag hanging in front of the Ames United Church of Christ nearby. He returned with the flag in hand and set it on fire on Fifth Street according to the police report. He was arrested later that day. Ames Police Cmdr. Jason Tuttle told the Ames Tribune that while in custody, the 30-year-old confessed to tearing the flag down and burning it. In an interview with local TV station KCCI, Martinez acknowledged he was guilty of the charges and admitted his actions stemmed from his hostility to the LGBTQ community. He added that it was “an honor and a blessing” to stand up for “the word of the Lord.” The TV interview was played at his trial as evidence. (source: Ames Tribune)
George Michael (Photo: Andrew Macpherson/Universal) Some 35 years after the release of the smash-hit “Last Christmas” by Wham!, George Michael’s millions of fans get another festive treat. “This Is How (We Want You To Get High),” which was recorded during George’s final studio sessions, is his first original material to be released in seven years. George died on Christmas Day in 2016. A funky, upbeat soon-to-be-classic, “This is How (We Want You to Get High)” has a seductive George Michael hook and melody. The lyrics, written exclusively by George, see the star addressing society’s ills with his trademark blend of self-deprecation and wry humor. Work on the track began in early 2012, was subsequently recorded in sessions at Air Studios in London, and ultimately received finishing touches in late 2015 during George’s final recording sessions. With its uplifting vibe and socially-conscious message, “This is How (We Want You to Get High)” will be featured during the credits of the upcoming Last Christmas, Universal Pictures’ new romantic comedy. The film was inspired by the eponymous Wham! hit, and has a soundtrack featuring three Wham! tracks and twelve songs from George Michael’s solo career. Hit the play button below.
In a solid red state that Donald Trump won by 30 points in 2016, Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear (D) trumped incumbent Gov. Matt Bevin (R) winning the governor’s mansion. With 99% of the vote in, Beshear has been announced the ‘apparent winner’ by a lead of over 6,000 votes. This is not good news for Donald Trump. #happydance
Trump campaigned for Matt Bevin in Kentucky last night and said to the crowd, "You gotta vote because if you lose, it sends a really bad message. It just sends a bad and they're going to build it up … You can't let that happen to me."
Alisyn Camerota, from CNN’s New Day, chatted with a panel of Pennsylvania voters from swing districts about how Donald Trump is handling the presidency and got some rather stunning responses. Some called Trump’s time in the Oval Office “embarrassing” while others declared he is “fantabulous!” A woman named Crystal, who is still clearly pro-Trump, was asked: “Crystal, is there anything he could do that would make you not vote for him?” Crystal replied “No.” Bringing up the now infamous hypothetical scenario stated by Trump during the 2016 election, Camerota queried, “If he shot someone on 5th avenue, would you vote for him?” Crystal responded asking with a skeptical tone, “Yeah, why did he shoot him?” The Trump voters were also asked about whether pressuring foreign countries to investigate political opponents was appropriate and the ongoing impeachment inquiry. 
